Nick Cannon quits ‘America’s Got Talent’ over NBC backlash

Los Angeles: Rapper Nick Cannon has said thathe will no longer be hosting NBC’s “America’s Got Talent” amid controversy over a racially charged joke he told in his recent stand-up special “Stand Up, Don’t Shoot”.

In his stand-up special, which premiered on SHOWTIME, Cannon reportedly riffs on his experience hosting the NBC’s talent show and how the series has changed his core fanbase, reported The Huffington Post.

The 36-year-old star, who has anchored the popular reality show for the past eight seasons, announced the news in a lengthy Facebook post.

According to Cannon, executives at NBC believed he “disparaged the brand” and later threatened to terminate his contract.

“After days of deliberating over some extremely disappointing news that I was being threatened with termination by Executives because of a comedy special that was only intended to bring communities closer together, I was to be punished for a joke,” he wrote.

He added, “This has weighed heavy on my spirit. It was brought to my attention by my ‘team’ that NBC believed that I was in breach of contract because I had disparaged their brand. In my defense, I would ask how so? Or is this just another way to silence and control an outspoken voice who often battles the establishment.

“I find myself in a dark place having to make a decision that I wish I didn’t have to, but as a man, an artist, and a voice for my community I will not be silenced, controlled or treated like a piece of property. There is no amount of money worth my dignity or my integrity.” PTI